Culture & Life · History India South Asia · Politics

What are the origins of the unique cultural parades during India’s Republic Day celebrations?

We are so used to seeing the interesting Republic Day parades since childhood that we hardly pause to think where and how exactly all of that originated. The bare minimum we are told is that the revered Constitution of India came into effect on January 26 1950, and the celebrations commemorate that event. While that… Continue reading What are the origins of the unique cultural parades during India’s Republic Day celebrations?

History India South Asia · Politics · Recommended movies, books etc.

William Dalrymple explains how corporations today, with their powers, resemble the East India Company

This piece was published on the platform ‘The Logical Indian’ on May 4 2017. Here is the link. Below is an excerpt: In his most crucial insight for our times, Dalrymple argues that many of modern India’s rich industrialists have amassed wealth in ways similar to Robert Clive’s, the EIC’s ruthless official who had won… Continue reading William Dalrymple explains how corporations today, with their powers, resemble the East India Company

History India South Asia · History of Medicine · Medicine & Doctors

When India’s ‘National Doctor’ Was Denied Service By an American Restaurant

I wrote this article on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day in India (July 1). It was published in ‘thewire.in’. Here is the link. Below is an excerpt: Satyajit Ray and Pather Panchali – Satyajit Ray had to struggle to fund his film Pather Panchali, later on a world-famous venture. After several dead-ends, his mother… Continue reading When India’s ‘National Doctor’ Was Denied Service By an American Restaurant

History India South Asia · Politics

Gandhi and Chauri Chaura, and What We Can Learn From It Today

Reproducing this from my Facebook post: This February an important anniversary went past us without much commemoration: the withdrawal of the Non-cooperation Movement by Gandhi in Feb 1922. While many alternative theories are put forward to explain why Gandhi withdrew such a ‘successful’ anti-colonial movement (including the assumption that he was ‘protecting capitalist interests’), it… Continue reading Gandhi and Chauri Chaura, and What We Can Learn From It Today